Wachusett board discusses Superintendent virtues

Published Wednesday February 13, 2013 at 6:00 am

As résumés from potential candidates arrive, the Wachusett Regional School Committee spent the first part of Tuesday night’s meeting discussing what it wanted in a new superintendent and the questions it would ask potential candidates.

“We need Superman,” committee member Norman Plourde said. Mr. Plourde then advocated for a leader who would devote his energy to kindergarten through Grade 3, saying that would create success in the middle and high schools.

Committee Chairman Duncan Leith said he was looking for a leader who was able to work with the towns and their Finance Committees and Boards of Selectmen, but who was also not afraid to take a stand for the schools and what they needed.

The school committee focus group was the last of a dozen such groups, in which stakeholders were asked for their thoughts on what characteristics were needed in a new superintendent.

A survey for community members is also available on the district’s website, through Feb. 19.

Glen Koocher, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, said that more than 1,000 surveys have already been completed.

“The response is unprecedented,” he said. “They are giving us a very good picture of what the community thinks about its public schools.”

Former Superintendent Thomas Pandiscio resigned in December following the firing of Business Manager Peter Brennan, whose errors resulted in the underreporting of nearly $2 million in expenses. Anthony Gasbarro, former principal at Glenwood Elementary School, is the acting superintendent.

Résumés for the Wachusett superintendent position must be submitted by March 4; the committee expects to begin interviewing candidates in April and have the new superintendent in place by July 1.